Variable-speed transmission for vehicles.



No. 804,421. PATENTED NOV. 14, 1905. G. W MARBLE 6; W. R. DONALDSON.

VARIABLE SPEED TRANSMISSION FOR VEHIGLBS.

APPLICATION EILBD DEC.7,1904.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1. I

azail monzw a mum cu" pugro-umocmwma WASHMGTOA No. 804,421. PATENTEDNOV. 14, 1905. G. W. MARBLE & W. R. DONALDSON. VARIABLE SPEEDTRANSMISSION FOR VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED DEO.7,1904.

2 SEBETS-SHEET 2.

4 UNITED sTArr'Es ,GEORGE W. MARBLE AND VARIABLE-SPEED TRANSMISSION F'QRVEHICLES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 14, 1905.

Application filed December '7 1904. Serial No. 235,908-

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, GEORGE W. MARBLE and WILLIAM R. DONALDSON, citizensof the United States, and residents of the cityof Chicago, in the countyof Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Variable-Speed-Transmission Mechanism for Vehicles; andwe do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription of the same, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, and to the charactersof reference marked thereon, which form apart of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in variable-speedtransmissionmechanism for vehicles, and more particularly to speed transmission andcontrolling devices adapted for use with a constant-speed motor of anykind. As shown, the invention is embodied in a track-inspection car,though obviously it may be embodied in many other classes of vehicles ormachines.

Heretofore track-inspection cars, though sometimes driven byconstant-speed motors, such as an explosive engine, have usually beenprovided with geared speed-transmission devices of such a complicatednature as to render them objectionable. The use to which such cars isput necessitates frequent variations of speed from one extreme to theother within short distances and also very frequent starting, stopping,and reversing, all of which cause a great strain on the drivingmechanism.

The object of this invention is to provide a very simple yetpositively-acting, strong, and durable speed-transmission device for anyand all purposes, but which in the present instance is shown embodied inan inspectioncar driven by an internal-combustion engine, the power ofwhich, bymeans of said trans mission device, is transmitted perfectly tothe running-gear of the car or vehicle without shock or jar.

' It is also an object of the invention to provide a speed-transmissiondevice whereby the car can be driven with equal speed in eitherdirection and which affords in itself a positively-actingemergency-brake which can be safely used without endangering theoperation of the device and operated by one lever.

The invention consists in the matters hereinafter described, and morefully pointed out and defined in the appended claims.

which it is supported on said rib c".

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a top plan view, partly broken away, of adevice embodying our invention. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary section taken online 2 2 of Fig. 1, showing parts in elevation. Fig. 3 is an enlargedtransverse section of the driving frictionwheel. Fig. 4 is a horizontalsection of the slidable bearing for the driving-shaft. Fig. 5 is asection taken on line 5 5 of Fig. 4.

As shown in said drawings, A indicates a car-frame of any preferredconstruction, but, as shown, comprising end sills a (b and side sills a)a, between which are rigidly secured at equal distances from the centerlongitudinal center sills A, of wood, steel, or any preferred material.The front and rear axles A A are journaled in bearings a of anypreferred kind, secured on the longitudinal sills, the forward axlebeing journaled in the center sills, or both the center and side sills,as preferred. Rig-idly engaged on said front axle A between the centersills A are inwardly-facing metallic friction-disks B B, havinginwardly-directed parallel plane bearing-faces 7) at right angles withthe axis of the axle and provided with outwardly-directed elongated hubsb 6, connecting which and the outer faces of said disks areintegrallyconnected ribs 6 which act to prevent said disks springinglaterally under the pressure of the driving friction-wheel. As shown,ball, roller, or other suitable antifriction bearings a are secured onthe axle between saidhubs and the bearings a on the center sills A,which take the thrust on said frictiondisks.

Rigidly engaged on the front end sill a and projecting forwardlytherefrom is the horizontal bracket C, shaped on its front edge to formone member of a bearing-collar, the other member of which, 0, is shapedto correspond therewith and adapted to be rigidly bolted thereto.Carried in said collar and adapted to turn slightly therein is an engineor motor 0, which may be of any preferred kind or construction. Asshown, an internal-combustion engine is used comprising a flangedupright cylinder C adapted to be aircooled and which closely adjacentthe crankcase C is provided with a peripheral rib a, between which andthe crank-case the cylinder is shaped to [it in said bearing-collarilinshaft 0 of said motor extends through and is journaled in both ends ofthe crank-case and projects rearwardly between the friction-disks B B,and the rear end thereof is journaled in a slidable bearing D, carriedon the front axle between said disks and which, as shown, comprises ayoke (Z, which engages over the axle and is shorter than the distancebetween said disks and is provided centrally with an integral boss orprojection d, bored to receive the end of the engine-shaft 0'. Aslidable driving friction-wheel E of a diameter to fit loosely betweensaid driven frictiondisks B B is splined on said. shaft 0 and may be ofany preferred construction. As shown, however, said friction-wheelcomprises a plate e, provided on its forward side with an integralperipherally-grooved collar 6, and on the rear side thereof,intermediate its axis and its circumference, is provided with arearwardlydirected annular flange e affording a central drum adaptedwhen said collar is at the innermost limit of its movement to receivethe end of the sleeve or the projection 61. Secured on said central drumand extending beyond the circumference of said plate 6 are a pluralityof friction-washers e of friction paper, leather, or any suitablematerial adapted to form the friction-surface of the drivingfriction-wheel. Said washers are rigidly secured in place by means ofthe annular plate or follower e, which fits over the drum or flange eand is firmlyheld in binding engagement with said washers by means ofthe bolts 6 or in any other preferred manner.

Any preferred means may be employed to throw the driving friction-wheelinto and out of engagement with either of the disks B or B; but, asshown, a hand-lever F projects through the floor of the car and ispivoted on a downwardly-extending bracket f, rigidly engaged on theunder side of the car platform or floor A. Said lever F is provided onits lower end with a yoke or fork f, which engages in a peripheralgroove in the projection or bearing d at the rear end of the shaft 0 andacts when said lever is shifted laterally to throw the yokedlongitudinally of the axle A thus forcing the driving friction-wheel Einto or out of engagement with the disks B B. A toothedsegment f issecured on the car-floor adjacent said lever and is adapted to beengaged by the spring-controlled detent f of any suitable kind carriedon said lever and acts to lock said driving friction-wheel of the shaft0. A toothed segment 7&2 is engaged on the floor adjacent said lever inposition to be engaged by a spring-controlled detent k carried on saidlever, which holds the driving friction-wheel at any desired point ofadjustment on said engine-shaft.

The operation is as follows: The thrust on the driven friction-disks B Bfrom the driving friction-wheel is taken upon the antifriction-bearings,which also act to take the lateral thrust of the axle occasioned by themotion of the car. The engine or motor C being pivotally supported uponthe bracket 0, the slight swing of the driving-shaft 0 laterally tobring the. driving friction-wheel E into engagement witheither of saiddisks does not at all affect the operation of the engine. Inasmuch asthe inner end of said engine-shaft is supported in the slidable bearingD upon the axle A a positive support is afforded the inner end of saidshaft, preventing all vibration when the friction members are in driving relation, and inasmuch as said bearing is close to the applicationof power but little stress is brought on the engine-bearings for saidshaft.

The driving friction-wheel is readily shifted, as desired, along theengine-shaft c by means of the lever H, which, as well as the lever F,is positioned conveniently to the seat X and affords a very simple andconvenient means for regulating the speed, which will of course dependupon the radial adjustment of said driving friction-wheel on the drivenfriction-disks. Either lever may be operated as a' brake, inasmuch asshifting the driving friction-wheel radially outward on the drivenfriction-disks acts to retard speed, while by shifting the driving-wheelfrom one disk to the other the driven friction member acts as a powerfulbrake and if continued will soon stop and reverse the car.

While we have shown ourdevice as embodied in an inspection-car, itisobvious that it may be employed for many other purposes, and We do notpurpose limiting this application for patent otherwise than necessitatedby the prior act, as obviously many details of con struction andapplication may be varied without departing from the principle of ourinvention,

WVe claimas our invention- 1. A reversible speed-transmission devicecomprising a driven shaft, parallel frictiondisks rigidly securedthereon, a pivotally-supported motor, a-driving-shaft therefromprojecting between the disks, a driving frictionwheel on said shaft, abearing for the drivingshaft adjustably engaged on the driven'shaft,

ing-shaft extending therefrom, a driving friction-wheel slidable thereonand positioned between the friction-disks, a bearing for thedriving-shaft supported on said driven shaft, levers adapted to shiftthe driving friction wheel to vary speed and direction and detentslocking said levers when adjusted.

3. A reversible speed-transmission device embracing a driven shaft,friction-disks rigid thereon, a pivotally-supported motor,adriving-shaft extending therefrom, a driving friction-wheel slidablethereon and positioned between the friction-disks, levers adapted toshift the driving friction-Wheel to vary speed and direction, detentslocking said levers when adjusted and a sliding bearing on the drivenshaft in which the end of the driving-shaft is journaled.

4:- The combination with a car-frame, and one of its axles, of a motorpivotally supported on said frame, coacting means carried on saidmotor-shaft and said axle and operated by partly rotating the motor,acting to determine the direction of motion of the car, a bearing forsaid shaft slidably engaged on said axle, andmeans for varying the speedof drive independently of the motor rate.

5. The combination with a car and one of its axles of a motorpivotallysupported on the car, a motor-shaft slidabl y supported at one end onthe axle, disks rigidly secured on the axle, a driving friction-wheelslidable on the motorshaft, a detent-controlled lever, acting to shiftthe driving friction-wheel on the motor-shaft and means adapted to swingthe engine to permit the driving friction-wheel to engage either disk.

6. In a device of the class described, the combination with a car-frame,and the axle thereof, of a friction member rigidly engaged on said axle,a motor pivotally supported on the frame, a drive-shaft on said motorslidably engaged on said axle and means carried thereon adapted whensaid engine is turned on its pivot to engage said friction memberthereby driving the car.

7. In a device of the class described, the combination with a car-frame,and the axle thereof, of a friction member rigidly engaged on said axle,a motor pivotally supported on the frame, a shaft on said motor havingits inner end adjustably supported on the axle, means carried thereonadapted when said engine is turned on its pivot to engage said frictionmember thereby driving the car, and means acting independently of thespeed of the motor acting to vary the speed of the car.

8. The combination with a car-frame and one of its axles, of a pluralityof inwardly -fac ing friction-disks rigidly engaged on said axle,antifriction-bearings on said axle, adapted to take the longitudinalthrust of the axle, a constant-speed motor pivoted on said frame, amotor-shaft driven thereby and slidably supported at one end on theaxle, a driving frictionwheel slidable on said motor-shaft andpositioned between the friction-disks, locking means acting to shiftsaid driving frictionwheel to vary speed and means adapted to lock thedriving friction-wheel into engagement with either of said disks.

9. In a device of the class described the combination with a car and oneof its axles, of a pair of inwardly-facing friction-disks rigidlyengaged on said axle, a motor pivotally supported on the car-frame, adriving-shaft operated by said motor, means slidably engaged on the axleaffording a bearing for the rear end of said shaft, a drivingfriction-wheel longitudinally adjustable on said motor-shaft and meansacting to throw the same into and out of engagement with said disks.

10. In a device of the class described the combination with avehicle-frame, and one of its axles, of a pair of inwardly-facingfrictiondisks rigidly engaged on said axle, a constantspeed motorpivotally engaged on said frame, a driving-shaft operated therebyadapted to swing in the arc of a circle, a driving frictionwheelslidably engaged thereon a lever pivoted on said frame adapted to movesaid frictionwheel longitudinally of its shaft, a bearingyoke on therear end of said shaft adapted to engage the axle and a lever engaged onsaid GEORGE WV. MARBLE. WVILLIAM R. DONALDSON. Witnesses:

W. NV. WITHENBURY, H. S. RUDD.

